Unbeaten St Mary’s College meet Highfield in one of the standout contests this weekend in 1B, could we see a shakeup of the top four with little to separate the chasing pack.
Naas v Garryowen, Saturday November 11th, Forenaughts, 2:30pm
A meeting of two sides at the foot of the standings this weekend in Forenaughts as Naas and Garryowen both seek much needed points.
Naas following three recent defeats sit beneath Garryowen in the standings by three points. The Kildare side started on the winning front edging past Belvedere in a back and forth meeting in Ollie Campbell Park. Since then however three double digit defeats, some heavier than others have followed and they now need to turn that around this weekend.
Shannonsiders Garryowen are in a similar predicament to their opponents sitting just outside the relegation zone following a result last weekend against Wesley. A much needed response to a narrow defeat a week prior, the Dooradoyle faithful will be looking to move further up the table this weekend. Sadness did descend on the club however following that result, former player Darren Ryan passed away tragically the following morning and thoughts of all are with the club and Darren’s friends and family in what has been a tough week for all.
Old Belvedere v UCC, Saturday November 11th, Ollie Campbell Park, 2:30pm
Belvedere will look to nail down a spot in the early promotion race if they can overcome UCC on home soil this weekend.
The Dubliners bounced back from earlier round defeats to win their last two and following those results build up a winning streak and launch another attack on promotion to 1A. UCC proved a fruitful fixture last season as they recorded emphatic wins in both, their last meeting in Ollie Campbell a 52-12 result for the hosts along with defeating the students 19-61 on Leeside earlier in the campaign. They will be without the services of Jacob Barrett who was shown a straight red card last weekend.
UCC remain a strong prospect however but will be without Ben O’Connor this weekend as the 19 year old is held in reserve by Munster for their URC Interpro with Ulster. Overcoming Highfield last weekend was a strong result for the Mardyke faithful leaving them two points behind in the race for promotion. With Daniel Squires kicking for fun these days and a host of young prospects in their ranks, they will match up well to the Old Belvedere faithful.
Old Wesley v Blackrock College, Saturday November 11th, Energia Park, 2:30pm
Having lost ground last weekend in the standings and also deducted points for a breach of the international player clearance process. Wesley meet Blackrock in an all Dublin affair looking to make up for a narrow setback last weekend.
It was a game of narrow margins in truth as Wesley suffered an 18-12 defeat to Garryowen last weekend as they failed to cross for a try for the first time this season. Eoin Monahan kicked all 12 points in that contest and they hope for a stronger showing this weekend against local opposition. Of their two defeats it was a close encounter, one they hope does not happen again this time around.
Blackrock produced a strong showing with Oliver Coffey inspiring them to defeat Queens last weekend. A second win of the campaign having bounced back from defeat a week prior, while these two have history in the past, this is a first meeting in the AIL since the 2015-16 season. Wesley won 36-22 on home soil before winning the reverse 28-10. Who will triumph as they renew acquaintances this weekend.
Queens University v Buccaneers, Saturday November 11th, Dub Lane, 2:30pm
With a loss on their report cards last weekend the Belfast based students will look for a better outcome this weekend against bottom placed Buccaneers.
Despite being well versed in racking Blackrock from their 2A campaign last term it was not to be when they locked horns in 1B last weekend. Resulting in a second defeat of their maiden campaign in the division, on paper they will be favoured this weekend however. Much stronger in attack and defence if they play how we know they can they should get a result here.
With four losses on the board Buccaneers are currently in a defcon scenario to say the least, injuries have not helped their fight in the campaign so far and coming off the back of another big defeat you might think confidence is low. A couple of heavy setbacks in a row now for the Athlone faithful can they turn it around this weekend.
St Mary’s College v Highfield, Saturday November 11th, Templeville Road, 2:30pm
One of if not the game of the weekend in 1A, unbeaten St Mary’s put their streak on the line against second placed Highfield.
Mary’s have asked the question just who can stop them in the division in these early rounds, with a six point lead coming from four bonus point results in a row they have set the pace. Scoring tries for fun and with Mick O’Gara fruitful off the kicking tee it will take a serious performance to see them suffer a first defeat of the campaign.
Coming off a defeat last week to neighbours UCC, will that inspire Highfield to end the winning streak of Mary’s. They need the result to make up for the lost ground a week prior and could fall out of the top four with a defeat and results elsewhere going against them. Highfield have recorded a win in each of their last four meetings, this will be a different proposition but they will have plenty of confidence of leaving with the win.
More Info on Division 1B available here.
Diarmuid Kearney
Diarmuid Kearney is a freelance Sports Journalist based in Co Kerry. He has more than 5 years experience covering domestic and international soccer for different media organisations, while also working for local and national print and digital organisations covering GAA.